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Community Passes Elmhurst Park District Referendum
As of November 5, 2024, unofficial results indicate that a majority of Elmhurst Park District voters answered “yes” to the bond referendum request to raise revenue to improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities throughout the District, including replacing the Wagner Community Center; building a community bandshell at Wilder Park; adding permanent, heated restrooms at three parks and along the Prairie Path; and converting a grass field to artificial turf at Berens Park.
The new Wagner Community Center will accommodate more residents and feature:
- Free three-lane walking/jogging track
- Gymnasium for pickleball, basketball, volleyball and other sports
- Artificial turf field for soccer, football, baseball and other sports
- Larger spaces for dance and gymnastics programs
- Flexible multi-purpose spaces for more programming and community gatherings
- Indoor play area for children
- Dedicated early childhood and preschool spaces with a secure entrance
“Our residents have been an essential part of this process from the beginning, sharing their vision during the Elevate Elmhurst Parks planning, providing feedback on projects during multiple open houses, answering our voter survey and then voting,” said Kevin Graf, Park Board President. “We are pleased to be able to deliver their vision.”
With the community’s approval of the bond request, the Park District will complete design development for the Wagner Community Center along with the other projects in 2025. At the same time, plans will be made to temporarily relocate programs and services currently held at the Wagner Center beginning in fall 2025. Construction on the new Wagner Center is expected to start in 2026 with the new facility opening in fall 2027. The community bandshell, year-round heated restrooms, and upgrading a grass field to artificial turf will be completed in 2026-2028.
Visit our website at www.epd.org/referendum and regularly follow us on social media to stay up to date on progress and details.
The Elmhurst Park District Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously to give residents the choice to fund high-priority projects identified by the community through a referendum on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
- The new community center will enable us to cater to all age groups and reduce wait lists offering year-round features such as:
- A free three-lane walking/jogging track.
- Gym space for pickleball, basketball, volleyball and other sports.
- An artificial turf field for soccer, football, baseball and other sports.
- Dedicated early childhood and preschool spaces with secure entrance.
- Larger spaces for dance and gymnastics programs.
- An indoor play area for younger children.
- Flexible multi-purpose spaces for programming and community gathering.
- New outdoor amenities also cater to all age groups and demographics and include:
- A community bandshell in Wilder Park will provide a backdrop for music or theater performances and serve as a community gathering place.
- Permanent, heated restroom in four locations (Wilder Park, Eldridge, Crestview, and along the prairie path) will give park users access to safe, clean restrooms year-round.
- A grass field at Berens Park will be converted to artificial turf to allow athletic groups to play more often.
Quick Facts
- The Wagner Community Center was built in the 1950s as an elementary school and was not designed for modern recreational needs.
- The last time the District went to referendum was 1971.
- Tax payers in Elmhurst pay just one nickel of every property tax dollar to the District.
- Download Flyer >>
Bond Language
When you vote in the election this fall, you will see the following language at the ballot box:
Shall the Elmhurst Park District, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois, improve, equip and maintain parks and park facilities, including (a) replacing the Joanne B. Wagner Community Center by building and equipping a new community center with a walking/jogging track, courts for pickleball, basketball and volleyball, a multisport indoor artificial turf field, and space for gymnastics, dance, early childhood/preschool and other programming; (b) constructing a bandshell with year-round heated restrooms at Wilder Park; (c) constructing year-round heated restrooms at Eldridge and Crestview Parks and on parkland along the Illinois Prairie Path; and (d) converting a grass athletic field to an artificial turf field at Berens Park, and issue its bonds to the amount of $89,950,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?
However, the realization of these aspirations hinges on the community’s willingness to fund them.
Despite being lauded for its financial stewardship, with consecutive accolades including the Government Finance Officers Association’s Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the District faces the challenge of meeting escalating community demands with limited financial resources. With a property tax rate comprising only a nickel of every dollar, the District has one of the lowest rates as compared to other park districts in DuPage County.
To learn more about this initiative please visit Elevate Elmhurst Parks.
Proposed Projects & Site Plans
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